r^ 


NORTHEEN 
BARRAGE 


MINE  FORCE 
19    18 


*-1' 


nr  H  F 
NORTHERN 
BARRAGE 


MINE  FORCE 

UNITED    STATES 
ATLANTIC    FLEET 


THE    NORTH    SEA    1918 


Edited  by  All  Hands 

Published  by 

The  U.  S.  Naval  Institute 

Annapolis,  Md. 

1919 


j3  5^c| 

UbWb 


Copyright,  1919,  by 

J.  W.  CONROY 

Trustee  for  U.  S.  Naval  Institute 


BALTIMORE,    MD.,    U.    S.    A. 


^  "^A 


^^ 


^ 


This  Book 

is  a  record  of  the  work  and  play 

of  the 

Mine  Force 
United  States  Atlantic  Fleet 

during  the 

War  against  Germany 

This  Force  operating  in  the  North  Sea,  June 
to  November  1918,  laid  the  greatest  number  and 
completed  the  most  extensive  barrage  of  mines 
since  the  dawn  of  warfare  to  the  present  day, 
and  lives  to  tell  the 

TALE. 

//  you  like  it,  blow  us  up; 

If  it's  a  Dud,  it's  the  first  we've  had. 

The  Committee 


M120207 


To 

OUR  ESCORT 

The  Fourteenth  Destroyer  Flotilla 

GRAND   FLEET 

This  Book  is  Dedicated 


Brothers  in  blood,  these  years  have  formed 

A  yet  more  binding  tie, 
The  bond  of  those  who  facing  death, 

Were  not  afraid  to  die. 

To  us,  those  days  in  which  we  strove 

To  rid  the  seas  of  wrong. 
Have  made  of  you,  our  comrades  then, 

A  memory  doubly  strong. 

And  so  your  younger  brothers  here. 

With  pencil,  ink  and  pen, 
To  their  poor  best  have  tried  to  tell 

A  living  tale  of  men. 

To  you,  without  whose  guarding  eye. 
Our  work  had  scarce  been  done, 

We  dedicate  this  record  of 
The  strafing  of  the  Hun. 


(5) 


(6) 


THE  MINE  FORCE 


REAR  ADMIRAL  JOSEPH    STRAUSS,    U.  S.  N.,    Commander 

FLAGSHIP 

U.  S.  S.    BLACK    HAWK,    Captain  R.  C.  Bulmer,  U.  S.  N. 

Base  17,  Invergordon;     Base  18,  Inverness 
Scotland 

MINE  SQUADRON  ONE 

CAPTAIN    R.    R.    BELKNAP,    U.  S.  N.,    Commander 

FLAGSHIP 

U.  S.  S.    SAN    FRANCISCO,    Captain  H.  r.  Butler.  U.  S.  N. 


U.  S.  S.  ROANOKE  U.  S.  S.  SHAWMUT 

Captain  C.  D.  Stearns,  U.  S.  N.  Captain  W.  T.  Clwverius,   U.  S.  N. 

U   S.  S.  BALTIMORE  U.  S.  S    CANONICUS 

Captain  A.  W.  Marshall,  U.  S.  N.  Captain  T.  L.  Johnson,  U.  S.  N. 

U.  S.  S.  AROOSTOOK  U.  S.  S.  HOUSATONIC 

Captain  J.  H.  Tomb,  U.  S.  N.  Captain  J.  IV.  Greenslade,  U.  S.  N. 

U.  S.  S.  SARANAC  U.  S.  S.  CANANDAIGUA 

Captain  Sinclair  Gannon,  U.  S.  N.  Captain  fV.  H.  Reynolds,  U.  S.  N. 

U.  S.  S.  QUINNEBAUG 

Commander  D.  Pratt  Mannix,  U.  S.  N. 

U.  S.  S.  PATAPSCO  U.  S.  S.  PATUXENT 

Lieut.  W.  E.  Benson,  U.  S.  N.  Lieut.  J.  B.  Hupp,  U.  S.  N. 


(7) 


UNITED  STATES  ATLANTIC  FLEET 
FLAGSHIP  OF  THE  COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 


London,  September  28,  19 18 
My  dear  Strauss: 

I  feel  sure  that  you  are  to  be  congratulated  on  the 
way  things  are  going  in  your  force  and  upon  the  loyal 
co-operation,  zeal,  and  good  work  of  the  force  both 
ashore  and  afloat.  Organization,  system,  and  efficiency 
were  apparent  and  have  been  shown  by  the  work  accom- 
plished. 

Congratulations  and  best  wishes  to  you  all. 

Yours  sincerely, 

H.  T.  Mayo 


(8) 


REAR  ADMIRAL  JOSEPH   STRAUSS,   U.   S.   N. 

Commander   Mine   Force 

United   States   Atlantic   Fleet 

U.   S.    Naval    Forces   Operating    in    European    Waters 


(9) 


MoY  Hall,  Inverness, 

20th  November,  191 8. 

My  dear  Commodore: 

You  left  me  fairly  aghast  by  the  way  you  received 
and  entertained  me  on  board  "  San  Francisco  "  on  the 
1 8th  Nov.  I  can  only  assure  you  and  all  those  officers 
and  ship's  company  you  have  conferred  a  very  great 
honour  on  the  county  which  I  represent  and  which  it  will 
always  be  my  duty,  as  it  is  a  pleasure,  to  make  known. 

Ever  since  the  U.  S.  Squadron  has  been  stationed  in 
northern  waters,  you  have  all  gained  the  esteem  and 
affection  of  those  you  have  come  in  contact  with,  and 
to  your  professional  and  technical  skill  and  true  sea- 
man-like spirit  there  is  but  one  opinion. 

This  war,  if  it  has  brought  sore  trials  and  losses,  has 
been  of  the  very  greatest  service  in  bringing  our  re- 
spective countries  together,  and  it  has  fairly  opened  the 
eyes  of  other  nations  to  what  can  be  done  by  us  thereby. 

Believe  me,  my  dear  Commodore, 

Yours  sincerely, 

A.  Mackintosh, 
of  MacKintosh, 
Lord  Lieutenant  of  Invernessshire. 

To: 

Commodore  R.  Belknap,  U.  S.  N., 
U.  S.  S.  San  Francisco. 


(10) 


CAPTAIN    R.   R.   BELKNAP,   U.   S.   N. 
Commander  Mine  Squadron  One 


(11) 


U.  S.  S.  SAN   FRANCISCO 

Flagship 

Mine  Squadron  One 


(12) 


Sta  n  d  i  n  g  - 


SQUADRON   CAPTAINS 
TOMB  GREENSLADE  GANNON  REYNOLDS  MANNIX 


CLUVERIUS  STEARNS 


BELKNAP 


BUTLER 


MARSHALL 


(13) 


THE  FENCE  ACROSS  THE  NORTH  SEA 

At  the  outbreak  of  the  war  the  United  States  proposed  to  the  Allies  the  construc- 
tion of  a  Mine  Barrage  completely  across  the  North  Sea  to  limit  the  activities  of  the 
U-Boats  which  were  devastating  the  shipping  of  the  world. 

The  Allies  said  "  Fine  "  and  told  us  to  do  it. 

This  enormous  undertaking,  without  precedent,  was  begun  by  perfecting  an 
anchored  mine,  good  for  any  depth  and  fitted  with  a  new  and  positive  form  of  firing 
mechanism.  Each  mine  contained  three  hundred  pounds  of  T.  N.  T.,  the  most  powerful 
explosive  known.  The  first  order  placed  was  for  one  hundred  thousand  such  mines, 
and  this  was  shortly  afterwards  increased. 

The  Mine  Force  of  the  Atlantic  Fleet  at  this  time  consisted  of  the  San  Francisco, 
the  Baltimore,  the  Dubuque,  and  four  Fleet  tugs.  This  Force  was  expanded  at  once  by 
securing  four  large  ships  from  the  Southern  Pacific  Company,  two  from  the  Old 
Dominion  Line,  and  two  from  the  Eastern  Steamship  Corporation.  To  these  were 
added  the  Black  Haivk,  a  Grace  Line  steamer,  which  became  one  of  the  most  up-to-date 
repair  ships  of  the  American  Fleet.  These  vessels  were  converted  into  planters  during 
the  early  spring  of  191 8  and  were  constituted  into  Mine  Squadron  One  and  placed 
under  the  command  of  Captain  R.  R.  Belknap,  U.  S.  Navy.  The  total  capacity  of  the 
Squadron  was  six  thousand  mines  for  a  single  planting.  There  were  also  obtained 
twelve  steamers  for  Mine  Carriers  to  maintain  the  overseas  supply. 

Meanwhile,  a  base  at  Inverness,  Scotland,  and  another  at  Invergordon,  Scotland, 
were  established  with  an  American  naval  personnel  of  one  thousand  officers  and  men 
each,  and  Rear  Admiral  Joseph  Strauss,  U.  S.  Navy,  was  assigned  to  the  command  of 


(14) 


the  entire  Force  ashore  and  afloat,  comprising  seven  thousand  men.  These  bases  were 
ready  when  Mine  Squadron  One  arrived  in  enemy  waters  and  mining  operations  were 
at  once  begun,  in  June. 

The  planters  proceeded  from  the  bases  under  escort  of  a  flotilla  of  British  destroy- 
ers and,  when  working  on  the  mine  field,  were  screened  by  a  force  of  battleships,  battle 
cruisers,  and  light  cruisers  from  the  Grand  Fleet.  In  thick  weather  or  clear,  night  and 
day,  the  work  went  on  without  a  hitch. 

Operations  continued  until  the  last  of  October  and,  before  the  Armistice  was 
signed,  a  complete  barrage  of  these  powerful  mines,  two  hundred  miles  long  and  thirty 
miles  wide,  laid  at  varying  depths,  had  been  stretched  across  the  North  Sea  from 
Norway  to  the  Orkney  Islands.  This  barrier  accounted  directly  for  many  of  the 
Hun  boats  even  before  completed  and  its  moral  effect  was  invaluable. 

After  the  Armistice  was  signed,  plans  were  made  for  joint  sweeping  operations 
with  the  British  service  and  a  number  of  men  from  the  Mine  Force  were  assembled 
at  the  Inverness  base  ready  to  begin  operations  in  the  early  spring  of  191 9. 

On  the  30th  of  November  Mine  Squadron  One  sailed  from  the  bases  for  home. 
The  next  day  the  Squadron  passed  in  review  through  a  large  detachment  of  the  Grand 
Fleet  in  Scapa  Flow,  a  naval  base  in  the  Orkney  Islands.  Here  were  interned  the  ships 
of  the  German  High  Seas  Fleet  which  were  surrendered  when  hostilities  ceased.  The 
cheering  between  the  American  and  British  ships  as  the  Squadron  steamed  down  the 
lines  was  deafening  and  was  a  marked  contrast  to  the  complete  silence  maintained  as 
our  ships  passed  through  the  enemy  fleet — surrendered  without  firing  a  shot! 

This  occasion  was  a  fitting  termination  of  the  operations  of  the  Mine  Force  in 
the  war  zone.  It  had  done  its  share  and  the  work  accomplished  was  no  mean  contribu- 
tion toward  the  establishment  of  a  righteous  peace. 


Passing  through  the  Grand  Fleet  at  Scapa 


(15) 


Here  is  the  Barrage  itself. 

The  large  central  area  was  assigned  to  the  American 
Squadron;  the  area  to  its  left,  to  the  British;  and  the  one 
adjacent  to  the  Norwegian  coast  was  mined  in  conjunc- 
tion.   We  have  fields  in  all  areas. 

Each  black  field  represents  the  planting  of  a  single 
excursion  of  our  Squadron,  and  the  average  length  is 
fifty  miles  by  two  thousand  yards  wide. 

The  hatched  fields  were  laid  by  the  British. 


(16) 


THE   BARRAGE 


(17) 


U.  S.  S.  AROOSTOOK 
Was   formerly   "  S.   S.    Bunker    Hill,"    Eastern    Steamship    Corporation 


(18) 


Officers 


Chief  Petty  Officers 


(19) 


A  Group 


Officers  and  Crew 


(20) 


Ready 


(21) 


Kappa 


(22) 


Fue 


'  '^^  JoH 


Sub  Sighted 


(23) 


U.  S.  S.  BALTIMORE 
Was  formerly  a   Cruiser,    North   Atlantic    Squadron 


Captain 


(24) 


Inspection 


(25) 


Sub  Attack  21   September,  '18 


(26) 


Halifax 


The  Shawmut's  Captain   Calls 


Standing    Room    Only 


The   Fourth   in  a   British    Port 


A  Procession 


(27) 


British   IVIine  Squadron 


The   Liberty  Drifter 


Rigging    Out   the    Fish 


All  the   Hun   Left  of  One   Merchantman 
(28) 


Fune 
Lake  Moor 


Men 


oy  the  Mme  Force  In 
European  Waters 


Burial  of  the  Lake   Moor   Men 


(29) 


U.  S.  S.  BLACK  HAWK 
Was  formerly  "  S.   S.   Santa   Catalina,"  Grace  Steamship  Company 


(30) 


^^'■."(^  THBP^     i 

# 

• 

^                     1 

L?!^^^B^S 

4 

W      f    'f 

^    ^    ^ 

m     H.      ^- 

,,.-=.- •■■'■'^^'^  "  ' 

.«^^               tB" 

# 

^^^..  ■'r^\-  r/^^'  •^^'Si'^^"'^^'^^"  ■^^' ' 

-^^.''>  V  1\  If  1' 

P^ •-- 

'^0          .~£°->-r'WP-J,IMJpi»L 

■ir- 

'        ■"                                                              1                                            '^■1^^™— -"P 

Officers 


Chief  Petty  Officers 


(31) 


Nuff  Sjid 


Liberty   Party   at   Inverness 


(32) 


The   Islands,   Inverness 


Lovers'  Lane,  Inverness 


(33) 


U.   S.   S.   CANANDAIGUA 
Was  formerly  "  S.   S.   El   Siglo,"   Southern    Pacific   Company 


(34) 


Officers 


Extremes 


Cromarty  Firth 


(35) 


OFFICERS  AND  CREW 


(36) 


Beauly  Basin 


Chanonry   Point 


A  Summer  Day  in  the   North   Sea 


(37) 


U.   S.   S.   CANONICUS 
Was  formerly  "  S.  S.  El  Cid,"  Southern  Pacific  Company 


(38) 


OFFICERS    AND    CREW 


(39) 


Sky  Guns 


Squadron  Commander  Addressing  Crew 


(40) 


3-Inch  Gun's  Crew 


Jl 


I 


Squadron  Champions 


(41) 


U.  S.  S.   HOUSATONIC 
Was  formerly  "  S.   S.    El   Rio,"   Southern    Pacific   Company 


(42) 


Seaman  Guard 


(43) 


Eighth    Division 


Fifth    Division 


Group  of  Crew 


(44) 


U.  S.  S.  Housatonic 


The  Blue  Gig 


Embarl^mg 


(45) 


U.  S.  S.  QUINNEBAUG 
Was  formerly  "  S.   S.  Jefferson,"   Old    Dominion    Line 


(46) 


OFFICERS  AND  CREW 


(47) 


Changing   Formation 


14  July 


Mk 

4 

m  m  M^ 

At  Home 

An  Excursion 


(48) 


(49) 


U.  S.  S.  ROANOKE 
Was  formerly  "  S.  S.   El   Dia,"   Southern   Pacific  Company 


(50) 


^^ 


OFFICERS   AND  CREW 


(51) 


Water 


Becev 


W'in9 


^P'os/'on 


(52) 


stowed 


The    Fish 


(53) 


U.  S.  S.  SAN  FRANCISCO 

was  formerly 
A  Cruiser,  North  Atlantic  Squadron 


(54) 


Commander   Mine   Squadron   One   and   Staff 


Commander   Mine   Force   and  Group 


(55) 


The   Team 


Squadron   Band 


(56) 


OFFICERS  AND  CREW 


(57) 


In  Dock  at  Invergordon 


(58) 


_4vVr 


The  Commodore's  Barge 


4  July,   1918,   Inverness 


A  Main   Deck  Load 


British  Squadron  Ahead 
(59) 


U.  S.  S.  SARANAC 
Was  formerly  "  S.  S.  Hamilton,"  Old  Dominion  Line 


(60) 


The   Bridge 


Officers 


Chief  Petty  Officers 


(61) 


% 


.'       fT^ 


f    5 


,^< 


%t1 


The  Anchor  Down 


f 


-VJ 


■  ./  r. 


(62) 


j*»,ae_  ■"»*»■ ' 


Over  She   Goes 


"^'    » 


v^  f^^^'^,^.:f  f : 


'^f  '■*'■'  ^' 


-^iiP^" 


(63) 


^^"r^x^yr^ 


Division  Groups 


(64) 


Embarking   Mines 


The   Port   Light  or  Forward 


Life   Rafts 


The  Anti-Air  Craft  Guns 
(65) 


U.  S.  S.  SHAWMUT 
Was  formerly  "  S.  S.   Massachusetts,"   Eastern  Steamship  Corporation 


(66) 


Officers 


Officers  and  Crew 


(67) 


The    Nine 


At   Munlochy 


(68) 


ir.r.e    Contact — Vampire    Making    Smoke    Screen 


Arrival  Over  There 


Fueling  at  Sea 


(69) 


U.  S.  S.  PATAPSCO 
Force  Tug 


(70) 


Officers 


^\^-^ 

*?Jk5*-^«j&m^ 

■  ,        -    ...^^>  -^*"^   --V^"-   ..,   .^N- 

Officers  and  Grew 


(71) 


U.  S.  S.  PATUXENT 

FORCE  TUG 


(72) 


Strathpeffer 


On  the  River  Ness 


Inverness 


Rosehaugh,  Avoch 


(73) 


U.  S.  NAVAL  BASE  17 

INVERGORDON 

SCOTLAND 


HEADQUARTERS 


(74) 


At  the   Base 


(75) 


Football  Squad 


Fire  Engine 


Freight  Yard 


(76) 


'  't^^mm^sammisisf*i»^^3m-v':-3:;s'^ 


The  Flag  at  Kyle 


A   Party  at   Kyle 


^^''"''Ml.  , 


'W  '"*  V    "^'^   ''^'  '•  (*  ^''^"  '^  '^' 


N!  "<     V^'/i;' 


^-K^^ 


At  Kyle  of  Lochalsh 


(77) 


Ready 


Loading   Pier 


Mine  Sheds 


Oil  Tanks,   invergordon 


Lighters,    Invergordon 


(78) 


Dalmore   House — Officers'  Quarters 


A   Scotch-American 


Alness    River,    Base    17 


At  Base  Seventeen 


(79) 


U.  S.  NAVAL  BASE  18 

INVERNESS 

SCOTLAND 


GENERAL  VIEW 


(80) 


ADMIRAL   MAYO 
Commander  in   Chief,  Atlantic   Fleet 
With  Commander  Mine   Force 


Commander  Mine   Force  and  Staff 
(81) 


Officers 


^f^  ^- 


Division   H 


:^%, 


(82) 


Cranes 


Test  Rails  for  Anc 


In   Transit  to   Lighters 


A   Corner  of   Mines 


One    of    Many 


(83) 


Ben  Nevis  from  Corpach 


Corpach    Detail 


View  from   Kessock  Landing,   Inverness 


(84) 


An  Early  Season  Line-up 


"SOMEWHERE   IN   SCOTLAND" 
The   Mine   Force  Show  which   Made  a   Big   Hit  in   London 


(85) 


In  the    Lighters 


The    Sick    Bay 


Egg   Baskets 


The  Barracks 


(86) 


The   First   Flag   in  Scotland 
9  February,  1918 


Discharging  to  the  Base 


Ready  for  the   Lighters 


Mine    Parts 


(87) 


In  that  hit  and  run  game  called  Mine-Laying,  Time  means  more  than  Money, 
and  Speed  is  the  Factor  of  Safety,  but  Athletics  is  the  Guarantee  of  Teamwork,  and 
that  is  the  Road  to  Success. 

Captain  Belknap  realized  this  when  the  Mine  Squadron  arrived  in  Scotland,  and 
steps  were  taken  to  organize  athletics.  Lieutenant  Hewlett  of  the  Baltimore  was 
appointed  Squadron  Athletic  Officer,  with  a  representative  on  each  ship.  The  task  of 
publishing  an  Athletic  Bulletin  was  undertaken  and  Ensign  W.  P.  Hanson  of  the 
Baltimore  appointed  Editor.  This  paper  was  published  in  real  newspaper  style,  every 
ten  days,  and  sent  throughout  the  force  to  thousands  of  eager  fans. 

Baseball  was  the  feature  of  organized  sport,  especially  through  the  summer  months, 
and  quite  naturally  held  the  center  of  the  stage.  With  the  exception  of  the  San  Fran- 
cisco and  the  Baltimore,  none  of  the  planters  had  the  necessary  baseball  equipment,  but 
that  couldn't  put  a  damper  on  the  sport.  When  the  schedule  had  been  arranged,  base- 
ball diamonds  were  ready  at  Inverness  and  Invergordon,  and  the  required  equipment 
was  being  rushed  from  the  States. 

The  season  commenced  on  July  4th,  at  both  Bases,  with  12  teams  competing,  and 
before  the  baseball  gear  had  been  stowed  away  in  winter  quarters  a  total  of  1 76  league 
games  had  been  played,  which  speaks  well  for  teams  3000  miles  from  home,  playing 
in  a  country  new  to  the  sport.  The  original  schedule  called  for  396  games,  but  Scottish 
mist,  coupled  with  our  hastened  activities  in  the  North  Sea,  made  that  ambitious  pro- 
gram impossible. 

The  league  provided  all  the  excitement  that  could  be  desired,  and  each  team  was 
supported  by  as  loyal  a  group  of  fans  as  ever  downed  an  umpire.  It  was  a  hot  race 
from  start  to  finish  and  the  keenest  sportsmanship  prevailed  throughout,  as  can  be 
evidenced  from  the  present  battle-cry  of  the  Scotchmen  of  Inverness  and  surround- 
ings— "  Baseball  forever." 


(88) 


The  standing  of  the  teams : 


Ship 

Games  Played 

Won 

Lost 

Percentage 

CANONICUS 

20 

15 

5 

.750 

SAN  FRANCISCO 

17 

12 

5 

.706 

HOUSATONIC 

18 

12 

6 

.667 

BLACK  HAWK 

16 

9 

7 

•563 

ROANOKE 

13 

7 

6 

•538 

BALTIMORE 

14 

7 

7 

.500 

SHAWMUT 

18 

9 

9 

.500 

AROOSTOOK 

13 

5 

8 

.384 

QUINNEBAUG 

14 

5 

9 

•357 

CANANDAIGUA 

15 

4 

II 

.267 

TUGS 

4 

I 

3 

.250 

SARANAC 

14 

3 

II 

.214 

Boat  racing,  boxing,  wresth'ng,  track  and  field  sports  were  given  much  attention. 
The  morning  of  July  4th  found  swarms  of  pulling  boats  lining  up  to  the  Stake  Boats 
at  Base  17,  each  ship  being  represented  by  a  crew  in  the  four  race  boat  classes  on  a 
mile  course.  It  was  one  big  cheer  from  start  to  finish,  with  an  added  cheer  when  the 
contesting  crews  passed  their  ships  on  the  way  to  the  finish  line.  The  afternoon  of 
July  4th  hundreds  of  American  and  British  sailors  gathered  at  the  Admiralty  Recrea- 
tion Grounds  at  Invergordon  to  watch  track  and  field  sports  of  the  Yankee  Mine  Force, 
and  it  was  estimated  that  3000  townspeople  were  present  at  the  Northern  Meeting 
Grounds  in  Inverness  to  see  the  big  games  of  the  Mine  Squadron  at  Base  18. 

The  Labor  Day  program  was  a  repetition  of  all  this.  The  Shawmut's  boat  crews 
swept  the  waters  of  Inverness  Firth  and  her  field  and  track  teams  made  a  similar 
clean-up  at  the  Northern  Meeting  Grounds.  At  the  Invergordon  base  the  Baltimore 
headed  the  list. 

A  golf  tournament  for  officers  was  held  and  about  20  competitors  entered.  The 
match  continued  for  a  month  and  was  finally  won  by  Ensign  Seward  W.  Webb  of  the 
Roanoke.  A  big  tennis  tournament  was  also  planned  and  about  15  games  were  played, 
but  rain  and  cold  weather  prevented  its  continuance. 

Football  was  next  on  the  program,  and  old  scores  of  the  baseball  diamond  were 
to  be  redeemed,  but  the  cessation  of  hostilities  and  the  early  departure  of  the  Mine 
Squadron  for  home  put  an  end  to  what  would  have  been  the  climax  of  Mine  Force 
athletic  activities.  However,  it  was  proved  beyond  a  doubt  that  the  Mine  Force  made 
as  much  of  a  success  of  its  athletic  program  as  it  did  of  its  famous  Mine  Barrage  in 
the  North  Sea. 


(89) 


P7 


Any  man  who  fought  in  the  Mine  Force  knows  the 

At  Base  i8,  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.  rented  the  Northern 
Meeting  Hall,  the  historic  festival  place  of  all  North 
Briton,  and  located  in  the  center  of  the  city  of  Inverness. 
A  spacious  hut  was  built  at  Invergordon  for  the  ships 
at  Base  17. 

These  were  the  headquarters  for  all  hands  while  on 
liberty,  and  reading  matter,  eats,  and  music  were  abun- 
dant. Many  entertainments  were  given  and  the  men 
of  the  Force  were  certainly  at  home.  The  voluntary 
services  rendered  by  the  ladies  of  both  Bases  in  our  in- 
terest at  the  Y.  M.  C.  A.'s  will  always  be  a  pleasant 
memory.     Here's  to  them,  one  and  all ! 


90 


FOURTH  LIBERTY  LOAN 

21  October  1918 

The  Mine  Force  Fourth  Liberty  Loan  Drive  is  over. 
The  total  amount  subscribed  is  $332,800.00  distributed 
among  6732  men,  a  per  capita  subscription  of  $49.44. 

This  is  an  excellent  showing.  The  Mine  Force 
Liberty  Loan  Agent  feels  that  it  is  a  matter  for  intense 
pride  that  the  officers  and  men  of  the  Mine  Force  have 
responded  to  the  Nation's  need  of  money  in  the  manner 
in  which  they  have.  These  wonderful  figures,  however, 
would  not  have  been  possible,  had  it  not  been  for  the 
active  and  hearty  co-operation  of  the  individuals  in  the 
Force  as  a  whole,  and  the  Force  Liberty  Loan  Agent 
extends  to  each  individual  subscriber,  as  well  as  to  those 
who  would  have  subscribed,  had  their  means  permitted 
it,  the  most  hearty  congratulations. 

An  outstanding  feature  of  the  Drive  was  the  conduct 
of  the  U.  S.  S.  Shaivmut.  On  the  opening  day  of  the 
Drive,  that  vessel  reported  a  loo  per  cent  subscription — 
362  officers  and  men  subscribing  $36,200.  This  notable 
example  undoubtedly  led  the  way  to  the  rest  of  the  ves- 
sels, and  good-naturedly  spurred  them  on  to  reach  the 
100  per  cent  goal,  which  was  ultimately  attained  by  the 
Patuxent. 

Many  of  the  men  in  the  Mine  Force  who  subscribed 
did  so  at  a  sacrifice.  Many  others  were  willing  to  make 
the  same  sacrifice,  but  it  was  considered  that  the  small 
amount  left  due  them  from  the  Paymaster,  after  deduc- 
tion for  payment  for  the  bond  had  been  made,  would  not  be  sufficient  to  meet  their  current 
expenses.  It  was  with  especial  regret  that  men  with  this  fine  spirit  were  denied  the  privilege  of 
subscribing. 

The  conduct  of  the  men  in  the  Mine  Force  during  this  Drive — their  ready  whole-hearted 
generous  response,  is  in  keeping  with  the  best  traditions  of  the  Naval  service.  It  is  typical  that 
men  of  the  American  Navy  should  bend  not  only  their  utmost  physical  efforts,  but  that  they 
should  not  spare  any  effort  of  any  description,  physical,  mental,  moral,  financial  or  otherwise 
to  hasten  the  only  end  to  the  present  conflict  that  is  acceptable  to  them  as  Americans. 

Let  the  subs  come  out — and  the  Mine  Force  will  hand  them  a  little  "  Christmas  present" 
in  the  shape  of  a  $332,800  sphere  full  of  T-N-T  that  will  loosen  a  few  of  their  rivets. 
Standing  of  the  Mine  Force  at  the  close  of  the  drive  was  as  follows: 
Totul  Per 

Subscribed     Capita 
NO. 


1 

PATUXENT 

$   7,950 

$108.90 

0 

SHAWMUT 

38,400 

95.76 

3 

CANONICUS 

39,850 

91.19 

4 

PATAPSCO 

4,850 

69.29 

5 

HOUSATONIC 

28,200 

64.53 

6 

AROOSTOOK 

23,600 

60.68 

7 

BLACK  HAWK 

29,150 

54.38 

8 

QUINNEBAUG 

22,300 

51.71 

9 

BASE  17 

53,350 

47.55 

10 

CANANDAIGUA 

18,050 

41.08 

11 

SARANAC 

13,900 

33.74 

12 

SAN  FRANCISCO     13,850 

31.34 

13 

ROANOKE 

11.500 

26.02 

14 

BASE  18 

28.350 

25.34 

TOTAL 

.$332,800 

$49.44 

C.  BULMER, 

Captain,  United  States  Navy, 

Liberty  Loan  Agent,  Mine  Force. 


(91) 


IM  Hot  PeRMlTTEDl 
To  TfeLL  OMCUEj 
H  S^  PHI  NX  HR^ 
hothin'  on  KE  • 

BUT  DONT  EVER 

TRKE    R  PLERSURE  __ 

ohth^  North  Sen.^i 


THE    RENOWNeo 
fAlNlHG  SQORDRON 
OF  THE  O.S.H. 

(the  Silent  Nnw) 


Two  ImvincibleS  1 


(92) 


(93) 


iNTKl) 


i — r^sr^  ^ 


:^=i|: 


.4 ^- 


-^- 


-^- 


J^*^ 


■^r=t- 


-^t=:t- 


^0—B- 


:1= 


i 


:^=X 


1=5=5^ 


i^is-r^T- 


:«=«: 


1^ 


-:=\- 


^i~ 


Chorus 


(94) 


THE  FORCE  OF  MINE 

We  sailed  across  the  water, 

We  sailed  across  the  foam. 
For  fourteen  da3's  and  fourteen  nights 

We  sailed  away  from  home. 
But  now  three  thousand  miles  away 

We  love  our  country  more, 
Let's  give  three  cheers  for  Uncle  Sam 

From  off  the  German  shore. 

Chorus 
It's  a  mine  here  and  a  mine  there. 
Over  the  ocean  everywhere. 
Now  our  ships  can  cross  the  sea 
And  win  the  war  for  Liberty ; 
Uncle  Sammy  brought  his  ships 
To  France'  and  Belgium's  shores. 
That  force  of  mine  has  done  its  share; 
We've  fixed  the  U-Boat  fair  and  square  ; 
When  victory  comes  they'll  all  declare 
That  mines  have  won  the  war. 

We  may  not  look  like  dreadnaughts, 

But  from  all  the  present  signs 
Davy  Jones  has  told  the  Kaiser 

That  we're  there  on  laying  mines. 
Awhile  ago,  the  subs  you  know 

Thought  they  had  the  gravy. 
But. when  they  hit  our  mine  fields,  oh! 

They  leave  the  German  Navy. 

Chorus 
It's  a  mine  here  and  a  mine  there. 
Over  the  ocean  everywhere. 
Now  our  ships  can  cross  the  sea 
And  win  the  war  for  Liberty, 
For  Yankee  Doodle  laid  his  mines. 
And  got  the  U-Boats  sore; 
And  after  America's  army  came, 
We  showed  them  how  to  play  the  game ; 
To  Berlin,  Victory,  and  to  Fame — 
That's  how  we  won  the  war. 


(95) 


1 1  November,  191 8. 

From  :    C.  M.  F. 
To:       A.  S.  P. 

Time:     10.05  ^-  ^• 

The  Armistice  is  signed. 

Hostilities  are  to  be  suspended  forthwith.  All  anti- 
submarine defence  measures  in  force  to  insure  the  secur- 
ity of  men-of-war  at  sea  or  in  harbor  are  still  to  remain 
in  force  until  further  orders.  Submarines  on  surface 
are  not  to  be  attacked  unless  their  intentions  are  obvious. 

0935- 

(F) 


Armistice    Day 


(96) 


THE   YANKEE    MINING   SQUADRON 


1.  A  great  offensive  we've  begun 
By  going  out  to  strafe  the  Hun, 
Putting  the  submarines  on  the  bum. 
In  the   Yankee   Mining  Squadron. 

(Chorus) 
Away!    Awaj!    depth  charge  and  gun. 
They'll   have   no   chance    against   the   Hun. 
Our  mines  have  ended  all  their  fun. 
Oh!    the  Yankee  Mining  Squadron. 

2.  The  Admiral,  Sir,  K.  C.  M.  G., 
Is  making  it  safe  for  democracy 

By  dropping  pills  in  the  old  North  Sea 
From  the   Yankee   Mining   Squadron. 

3.  "Afraid  we're  late;  canst  mine  by  dark?" 
The  boss  sat  up  and  gave  a  bark. 

"  Get  out  of  the  way,  you  d — d  old  ark, 
For  the  Yankee  Mining  Squadron." 

4.  The  Commodore  leads  us,  straight  and  true, 
In  battle, — whatever  there  is  to  do. 

To  victories,  ever  fresh  and  new, 
Of  the  Yankee  Mining  Squadron. 

5.  The  Commodore's  on  the  bridge,  rampant; 
We've  a  hundred  thousand  mines  to  plant; 
Just  try  to  sleep:    you'll  find  you  can't, 

In  the  Yankee  Mining  Squadron. 

6.  The  'Frisco  and  the  Baltimore, 

The  ships  that  won  the  Spanish  War, 
Will  fight  for  many  a  long  year  more 
With  the  Yankee  Mining  Squadron. 

7.  The  Baltimore  was  the  first  away. 
She  traveled  a  thousand  miles  a  day 
To  show  the  Allies  the  lively  way 
Of  the  Yankee  Mining  Squadron. 

8.  The  Housa  and  the  Roanoke, 
Adrift  at  sea  with  rudder  broke, 
Were  saved  by  nauseating  smoke 
Of  the  Yankee  Mining  Squadron. 

9.  The  Housa  says  Canonicus 

Plants  all  the  mines  that  raise  a  fuss, 
'Till  the  whole  North  Sea  is  in  a  muss 
'Round  the  Yankee  Mining  Squadron. 

10.  The  Canandaigua,  so  they  say. 

Would  always  anchor  in  Beauly  Bay, 
And  certainly  there  when  golf's  to  play, 
In  the  Yankee  Mining  Squadron. 


11.  The  Shawmut  and  the  Aroostook, 

The  flyers  from  Boston  to  Sandy  Hook, 

To  climb  their  bridges  would  stump  Doc  Cook, 

Oh!    the  Yankee  Mining  Squadron. 

12.  The  Quinnebaug  and  the  Saranac, 
The  sister  ships  with  the  funny  stack, 
They   amble  out   and  toddle  back 
With  the  Yankee  Mining  Squadron. 

13.  The   sweeping   up!      Ye   gods,   what   muck! 
(The  Quinnebaug  quickly  passed  the  buck.) 
The  Huns  that  try  it  are  out  of  luck. 

Oh!    the  Yankee  Mining  Squadron. 

14.  "  Oh !  who  is  the  name  of  the  small  steamboat?  " 
Sonoma,  the  smartest  thing  afloat! 

She  goes  for  the  subs  and  gets  their  goat. 
Oh!    the  Yankee  Mining  Squadron. 

15.  "Oh!    give  us  a  lift,"  the  wreckers  said. 
Ontario  went  to  Kinsale  Head 

And  rescued  the  cripples  away  from  the  dead — 
Oh!    the  Yankee  Mining  Squadron. 

16.  Patuxent  and  Patapsco,  too, 

Went  out  three  times  the  mines  to  view, 
And  helped   unite  the  bases  two, 
For  the  Yankee  Mining  Squadron. 

17.  The   fourteenth,   "  Vampire,"   leading   hound, 
Will  drive  the  subs  to  watery  ground. 
We're  always  happj'  when  they're  around 
The  Yankee   Mining  Squadron. 

i8.  The  "  Vampire  "  now  is  standing  in, 
The  Squadron  moves  by  seven  ten. 
No  party  by  Sambo  and  Brandy  Gin 
For   the   Yankee   Mining   Squadron. 

19.  The  Black  Hawk  lies  at  Base  Eighteen, 
She  helps  us  to  repair  and  clean 
From  underwear  to  ice  machine. 

Oh!    the  Yankee  Mining  Squadron. 

20.  Except  for  the  mountains  of  T  N  T 
The  Bases  are  safe  as  afternoon  tea. 
For  they  never  have  to  go  to  sea 
With  the  Yankee  Mining  Squadron. 

21.  His  army  whipped,  and  his  navy,  too. 
We  turn  our  back  on  the  Kaiser's  crew, 
And  sail  away  to  home  and  YOU, 

In  the  Yankee  Mining  Squadron. 


(97) 


i'.-»»*'j!ls>»     'w »  ''^i?^^  "•£■,'  ."   *, 


To 

Our  Sixth   Battle    Squadron 

Who  Screened  Us  While  We  Planted 

The  Garden 


(98) 


50  Palmerston  Place, 
_^.-^^  Edinburgh,  N.  B., 

^"'^'^  13  November,  19 18. 

Dear  Captain  Belknap  : 

I  felt  I  must  write  and  congratulate  you  on  the  fact  that  the  Yankee  Mining 
Squadron  will  now  be  able  to  return  home,  having  taken  an  honourable  part  in  the 
great  war.  My  congratulations  to  \o\x  all  from  myself  and  the  14th  Flotilla,  and  I 
trust  H.  M.  Government  will  not  forget  to  give  honour  to  you  and  your  fine  fellows 
in  the  Squadron.  Please  convey  my  best  wishes  to  your  officers  and  men  in  a  general 
signal,  "The  14th  Flotilla  send  greetings  to  the  Yankee  Mining  Squadron  and  wish 
them  a  pleasant  passage  home  and  a  real  good  time  when  they  get  there,  and  will  see 

them  go  with  regret." 

Yours  very  sincerely, 

H.  R.  Godfrey. 


"The  U.  S.  Mine  Squadron  thanks  the  14th  Flotilla  for  Its  kind 
message  and  returns  the  greeting  most  cordially,  wishing  that  the  officers 
and  men  of  the  Flotilla  may  fully  enjoy  a  well-earned  leave.  The  Squadron 
will  always  remember  the  Flotilla  and  will  look  forward  to  renewing  a  most 
agreeable  association." 


Going   After  the    Hun 


(99) 


VIVA  AMERICA! 

THANKSGIVING  DAY  CELEBRATIONS 
To  commemorate  the  landing  of  the  Pil- 
grim Fathers  on  New  England  soil,  al- 
most 300  years  ago,  American  citizens, 
wherever  they  may  be  found,  celebrate  in 
their  own  way,  the  anniversary  of  that 
event.  The  Day  was  not  forgotten  in  In- 
verness, where  so  many  of  our  brethren 
from  overseas  are  located  at  present,  and 
two  days  have  been  given  over  to  celebra- 
tions. 

On  Thursday  evening  the  American 
naval  officers  and  other  guests  were  enter- 
tained to  dinner  in  the  Station  Hotel  by 
the  S.N.O.,  H.M.  Naval  Depot,  Inverness — 
Captain  Rowley.  In  addition  to  American 
guests,  the  following  among  many  others 
received  invitations: — The  Provost,  the 
Senior  Bailie,  minister  of  the  High 
Church,  Bishop  Maclean,  Priest  in  Charge, 
R.C.  Church;  minister  of  the  U.F.  Church, 
County  Chief-Constable,  Burgh  Chief- 
Constable,  Town  Clerk,  Town-Clerk- 
Depute,  the  Resident  Medical  Officer  of 
Health,  General  Manager,  H.R.;  Traffic 
Manager,  do.,  &c.,  &c.  The  toast  of  the 
President  of  the  United  States  was  given 
by  Captain  Rowley,  replied  to  by  Admiral 
Strauss,  U.S.  Navy,  who,  in  proposing 
"  The  King,"  said  Britain  had  a  King 
unswerving  in  his  devotion,  an  example  of 
patriotism,  surrounded  by  wise  counsel- 
lors. In  the  absence  of  the  Lord-Lieuten- 
ant of  the  County  through  illness,  the 
toast  of  "  The  Services  "  was  given  by  Dr. 
William  Mackay,  acknowledged  on  behalf 
of  the  U.S.  Navy  by  Captain  Belknap,  for 
the  British  Navy  by  Commander  Rankin, 
R.N.,  while  Major  Matheson,  Cameron 
Highlanders,  spoke  for  the  British  Army. 
In  a  graceful  speech,  the  toast  of  the 
Burgh  of  Inverness  was  proposed  by  Cap- 
tain Cluverius,  U.S.N.,  who  declared  that 
in  five  months  the  names  of  Tomnahurich, 
Kessock,  and  Munlochy  had  come  to  be 
written  indelibly  on  American  hearts. 
Provost  Macdonald  said  we  were  proud  to 
have  the  Americans  among  us,  and  they 
would  be  much  missed  when  they  had  to 
leave  us. 

Later  in  the  evening  British  naval  offi- 
cers entertained  American  naval  officers 
at  a  ball  held  in  the  Northern  Meeting 
Rooms,  the  scene  of  so  many  brilliant 
functions  of  the  kind  for  well  over  a  hun- 
dred years.  Mrs.  David  Logan's  band  and 
an  American  ship  band  supplied  the 
music. 


(100) 


From  :   Rear  Admiral,  Invergordon. 

To:        Commander  Mine  Force,  Base  i8. 

Date:     2d  December,  1918.     No.  058. 

Departure  of  Ships  of  U.  S.  Mine  Force  from  Invergordon. 

On  the  departure  of  the  ships  of  the  U.  S.  Mine  Force  from  this  port 
I  desire  to  express  to  you  my  high  appreciation  of  the  friendly  and  cordial 
spirit  in  which  the  Commanding  Officers  and  all  ranks  and  ratings  of  that 
Force  have  co-operated  and  assisted  in  the  work  of  this  Base  with  regard  to 
all  matters  in  which  we  have  been  associated. 

2.  The  relations  between  the  U.  S.  Officers  and  men  and  those  of  the 
Royal  Navy  have  been  excellent  throughout,  and  a  feeling  of  friendship  has 
been  established  between  the  two  services  which  will,  I  believe,  prove  strong 
and  lasting. 

3.  I  am  glad  to  be  able  to  inform  you  that  the  behaviour  of  the  U.  S. 
ships'  companies  on  shore  has  been  most  praiseworthy,  and  their  good  con- 
duct on  all  occasions  reflects  the  highest  credit  on  their  state  of  discipline. 

4.  I  should  like  to  add  that  the  courtesy  and  good  will  towards  myself 
invariably  displayed  by  the  Captains  and  Officers  will  remain  with  me  a  most 
pleasant  remembrance. 

(Sgd.)    E.  R.  Pears, 

Rear  Admiral. 


(101) 


Q3cioK](l 


flCH    FlAlTZ    VEL  VVUl 

LOWD  UND     0€,V>)     DC 
OU   SR55ROH     vjWO 

l.\K£     OOP,     OtRV\     V 


mmiLo 


OF    OCR     r/\\NE.  SVSVA/^O 
DON'T      HtPPdi     TO   Stt, 
\VS-  ^OT      \    T\NVS       V6. 

15  TOO  A^OCH    Fe.F\    oe^tv^ 


") 


Mo  oswouo  we-  Hflvt-  ft 
D.rFev^^r^T  w«v  o.  T«vs,viO 

THV5,  W6_  AR^  NO-r  SHOT 
PUTTE.P.S  ,  NOV^  RB^  wt. 
BOLSME-VVSNe-S,  E.\TVie.R. 


-<^"^ 


Hor/ttwaRD  bourjo  flj  MftrOY  0the:p»5   Of    Thl\^ 
ttirvo   Thought     Ut^-t  ^/VE,f^t^,  — (^r>)o  \Ve,H£». 


LONG  W\LL 
THt.  L.RST 
TR»P. 

LlNGE.9>v  \N 
OVJH 


JULY  FOURTH,  1918 

Message  from  Senior  British  Naval  Officer,  Inverness,  to 
Commander  Mine  Force. 
"  All  ranks  and  ratings  tender  to  officers  and  men  of  the  United  States  naval  forces 
under  your  flag  the  heartiest  greeting  on  Independence  Day,  and  to  you  their  loyal 
cooperation  in  your  determination  to  bring  the  w^ar  to  a  successful  issue." 

Messages  exchanged  at  Scapa  Flow  while  Mine 
Squadron  passed  between  the  British  Squadron  and 
by  the  interned  German  fleet. 

9:30a.m.         To:        Admiral  First  Battle  Squadron. 
Via:        H.  M.  S.  Canada. 
From:    Commander  Mine  Squadron  One. 
Captain    Belknap   presents   his   compliments   and    regrets   that   his 
movement  orders  do  not  permit  paying  his  respects  in  person  to  Admiral 
Madden.     The  U.  S.   Mine  Squadron  sends  congratulations  upon  the 
great  success  that  has  brought  about  this  unprecedented  spectacle,    0919. 


From :   Admiral  Madden. 
To:        Captain  Belknap. 
Thank  you  for  your  0919.      I  wish  the  Mining  Squadron  speedy 
return   home   and   have   much    regret   in   parting  with   such   a   splendid 

force.  

From :    Captain  Belknap. 
To :        Admiral  Madden. 
Many   thanks  for  your  kind  message.     The   Mine   Squadron  has 
much  enjoyed  its  duty  with  the  Grand  Fleet  and  is  much  honored  by 

the  association.  

From:    Admiral  Madden. 
'^I'o :        Captain  Belknap. 
Thank  you.     For  your  hilarious  mining  squadron,   a  speedy  trip 
home  and  have  much  regret  in  parting  with  such  a  brave  bunch. 


Grand    Fleet  at   Scapa 


(104) 


The  Surrendered   Fleet 


(106) 


Speech  of  Admiral  W.  S.  Sims,  U.  S.  Navy 

on   board    U.   S.   S.    SAN    FRANCISCO    Flagship 

of  Mine  Squadron  One  at  Portland,  England 

12  December,   1918 

The  commanding  officers,  all  other  officers  that  could  be  spared,  and  25  men  from 
each  mine  planter,  were  assembled  on  board  the  San  Francisco  at  9.15  a.  m.  and  at  9.30 
Admiral  Sims,  accompanied  by  Captain  Twining  and  Commander  Babcock,  came  on 
board.  His  flag  was  flown  on  board  during  his  stay.  All  the  men  being  mustered  aft 
and  the  officers  assembled  on  the  poop.  Admiral  Sims  spoke  from  the  break  of  poop 
as  follows: 

"  I  am  sorry  that  it  happened  I  brought  you  out  on  a  day  like  this,  but  I  wanted 
to  say  something  to  you  before  you  go  away.  I  realize  perfectly  well  that  I  have  not 
been  able  to  visit  the  mining  forces  as  much  as  would  have  been  desired.  I  hope  that 
you  have  not  felt  at  all  slighted  by  it.  Perhaps  all  of  you  don't  know  the  extent  of  the 
Navy's  activities  on  this  side.  Besides  your  bases,  we  have  about  30  others,  between 
75,000  and  80,000  people  and  5000  officers  over  here,  and  all  sorts  of  business  to  be 
transacted  with  the  Navy  Departments  of  the  Allies.  I  would  have  been  very  glad  to 
visit  you  frequently.  I  want  you,  however,  to  understand  we  have  kept  a  close  e}'e 
on  your  work  and  have  appreciated  it  very  thoroughly.  This  mining  force  has  done  a 
stunt  the  like  of  which  has  not  been  done  in  the  world  before.  After  we  came  into  the 
war  we  designed  a  mine,  built  it,  equipped  the  mine  layers,  sent  them  over  to  this  side 
and  planted  more  mines  in  less  space  of  time  than  any  nation  in  the  world  ever  thought 
of  doing  before.  As  to  the  efficiency  of  the  mine  barrier,  that  is  something  that  has  not 
concerned  you  so  particularly  as  those  who  designed  it;  but  the  stunt  of  fitting  out  the 
vessels,  learning  to  handle  the  mines,  planting  them,  and  going  through  the  strenuous 
work  has  been  really  ttne  of  the  finest  stunts  the  Navy  has  accomplished  on  this  side. 

"  There  has  not  been  much  about  it  in  the  papers,  because  this  is  one  of  the  things 
we  didn't  want  our  friends,  the  Germans,  to  know  anything  about.  You  need  not  be 
afraid,  however — it  will  be  thoroughly  explained  and  thoroughly  exploited  a  little  bit 
later.  Now  this  work  has  been  so  successful  that  it  has  excited  the  commendation  of 
all  the  Navies  on  this  side.  I  think  that  our  mine  layers  that  were  fitted  out  for  this 
purpose  are  distinctly  better  than  those  that  have  been  designed  in  leisure  time  of  peace. 
All  our  ships  of  same  displacement  carried  more  than  twice  as  many  mines  and  can  drop 
them  successfully  going  at  full  speed.  As  far  as  I  know,  the  planting  of  this  mine  field 
has  gone  on  without  hitch.  I  mean  in  so  far  as  the  handling  of  mines  is  concerned.  If 
some  of  the  mines  have  popped  off,  that  has  to  do  with  the  design  of  the  very  compli- 
cated mechanism,  with  which  you  men  have  not  been  concerned ;  but  as  a  nautical  stunt, 
a  piece  of  seamanship,  it  has  been  perfectly  successful,  and  we  understand  that  per- 
fectly well. 

"  Another  thing  particularly  gratifying  is  that  the  conduct  of  the  men  of  the 
Mine  Force  at  their  bases  and  at  sea  has  been  exemplary.  I  think  one  thing  that  has 
impressed  itself  on  this  side  more  than  any  other  is  the  conduct  of  our  men.    They  were 


(107) 


inclined  to  regard  us,  when  we  first  came  over  here,  as  men  out  of  the  wilds  of  America. 
I  think  they  rather  wanted  to  strengthen  their  police  force  when  we  came  around. 
They  found  out  it  was  not  necessary.  Not  only  have  you  created  a  good  impression  by 
your  conduct  as  far  as  seamanship  is  concerned,  but  you  have  created  a  splendid  impres- 
sion socially.  We  hear  it  on  all  sides.  I  saw  your  show,  the  second  part  of  it,  in 
London  the  other  day.  It  had  anything  of  its  kind  I  have  seen  skinned  to  death.  There 
isn't  another  one  that  holds  a  candle  to  it.  It  is  particularly  gratifying  that  the  show 
included  a  number  of  the  young  girls  of  Inverness.  The  show  was  clean  and  refined 
and  splendid  in  every  way.  It  was  a  pleasure  to  go  behind  the  curtain  and  thank  them 
and  to  kiss  that  wee  bit  of  a  girl  who  used  to  do  the  dance.    You  know  the  one  I  mean. 

"  That  good  feeling  you  have  been  able  to  show  has  made  this  nation  understand 
the  Americans  now  the  way  they  never  did  before,  and  you  people  understand  the 
English  and  Scotch  people  as  you  never  did  before.  It  makes  good  feeling  on  both 
sides  of  the  ocean,  and  to  keep  the  peace  of  the  world  we  are  going  to  need  that  feeling 
among  all  the  Anglo-Saxons. 

"  I  am  sorry  that  I  am  not  going  home  with  you.  I  envy  you  all  going  home  to 
your  people  again.  When  we  shall  be  able  to  do  it  I  don't  know.  Perhaps  after  the 
bulk  of  our  men  have  been  returned.  I  wish  you  a  Merry  Christmas  and  a  Happy 
New  Year ;  and  when  you  get  back  there  you  can  tell  them  all  about  it.  You  need  not 
feel  that  you  have  to  tell  them  you  did  the  whole  thing.  Just  tell  them  a  straight  story 
and  you  may  be  more  than  satisfied  with  that.     I  thank  you  for  your  attention." 


Reply  by  Captain  R.  R.  Belknap,  Squadron  Commander, 
to  Admiral  W.  S.  Sims 

"  I  wish  to  thank  you.  Admiral,  for  all  you  have  said  and  to  say  that  the  Mine 
Squadron  has  felt  the  greatest  honor  in  serving  under  you  and  is  very  proud  to  have 
the  flagship  hoist  your  flag  even  for  only  a  few  minutes." 


GOOD  BYf    AT     PADDINGTON 


(108) 


hlLT— V/HV  DO  THEV   CMLL  youcj  SHlPi 
COS-  Tb^CAUjE   THE/  LKYniNESAND 

Have  mine  hatcHej? 


(109) 


A  Quiet  Day  in  the  Orknies 


(110) 


THE  RAIDERS  OF  THE  NIGHT 


We  are  the  Mine  Force  Squadron  One, 
The  "  Choosers  of  the  Slain," 

Guards  of  the  Marches  of  the  North, 
And  Keepers  of  the  Main. 

At  fall  of  dusk  we  softly  steal 
From  out  each  firth;  and  forth. 

Seeking  the  aid  of  night's  dark  tide. 
To  strike  hard  from  the  North. 

Weapons  deadly  with  menace  blind 

Deep  hid  in  our  bowels  lie, 
To  trap  the  Hun  should  he  venture  forth. 

Or  block  him  should  he  fly. 

Nightly  the  North  Sea  knows  our  screws 
By  their  muffled,  careful  beat, 

While  we  strew  the  sudden  death  unseen 
For  our  foes'  unwary  feet. 

Until  the  world  is  safe  again, 
And  each  Boche  crime  set  right, 

The  Hun  shall  know  no  mercy  from 
The  "  Raiders  of  the  Night." 


(111) 


Inverness  Castle 


The  Islands 


i 

.^iS 

.■";-''.*'" 

■ 

i'^ '  ■ 

mi 

1^ 

1 

*  -^^^B 

F    -^^ 

1 

High  St.,  Inverness 


Inverness 


Inverness 


(112) 


THE  CRUISE  OF  THE  QUINNEBAUG 

You  may  talk  of  tramps  and  scows, 

Raise  a  lot  of  bloomin'  rows, 

On  the  virtues  of  the  schooner  and  the  tow-boat, 

But  when  it  comes  to  motion 

On  the  old  Atlantic  Ocean 

This  Quinnebaug  is  sure  some  little  row-boat. 

In  the  days  before  the  war 

The  torpedo  boats  they  bore 

A  "  rep  "  for  diggin'  deep  and  hittin'  high  spots. 

But  of  all  the  bloody  steamers 

That  fly  commission  streamers. 

This  Quinnebaug  could  trim  'em  all  in  dry  dock. 

Chorus 
Then  its  roll,  roll,  roll. 
You  big  hunka  junk,  just  pitch  and  roll. 
And  the  twentieth  century  sailors, 
Like  a  bunch  of  tanked  up  tailors, 
Feed  the  fish  while  you  roll,  and  roll,  and  roll. 

She  is  dirty,  damp  and  musty, 

All  her  bolts  are  loose  and  rusty. 

Her  plates  are  warped,  her  stanchions  sadly  twisted, 

Her  brightwork's  always  dusty. 

Her  compartments  always  crusty 

Her  mast  to  starboard,  stack  to  port,  is  listed. 

Her  engine's  old  and  creaky — 

Her  foc'sdeck  is  leaky. 

But  her  Vaps  would  make  the  angels  start  a-ravin', 

For  a  measely  little  quarter 

Of  a  bucket  of  fresh  water 

Is  the  limit  that  we  get  to  wash  and  shave  in. 

Then  its  baug,  baug,  baug. 

You  pack  o'  worn  out  spare  parts,  Quinnebaug, 

You  should  be  in  my  opinion 

With  the  rest  of  "  Old  Dominion  " — 

In  a  cozy  stall  in  Hades,  Quinnebaug. 


(113) 


Invergordon 


Near  Invergordon 


Alness,    Near   Base    17 


Boom   Defense,  Invergordon 


The  Roads  are  Full  of  Them 


The   Gate 


(114) 


"CENSORED" 

Base  Eighteen,  Somewhere  in  Scotland, 
Dear  HIHI^^^HHI 

I'm  writing  long  and  stead'ly,  have  to  keep  up  with  my  mail,  for  they  all  chime  in 
the  medley,  "  let  me  hear  your  long,  sad  tale!  "  Tho  I'm  weary  with  the  punching 
out  of  self-historic  "  dope,"  still  I  sit  here  puffing,  munching,  on  a  thrupence  canteen 
"  rope  "  for  I  have  to  write  to  you,  dear,  tho  the  rest  are  "  S.  O.  L."  and  altho  there's 
nothing  new  here,  I  will  do  my  best  to  tell  how  I  helped  the  Allied  nations  to  subdue 
the  vandal  Hun  and  by  sundry  demonstrations,  proved  the  job  could  be  well  done. 

So  I  puff  a  few  more  smoke  rings,  then  I  look  into  the  haze ;  and  there  pictured 
are  some  sad  things  that  have  happened  in  past  days.  Now,  I  see  the  Kaiser  weeping, 
and  his  fam'ly  weeping  too,  and  I  ask  him  what  is  keeping  all  the  Hohenzollerns  blue. 
So  he  answers,  while  I  list'ning,  take  it  down  in  plain  short-hand,  while  he  tells  me, 
tear-drops  glist'ning,  why  the  royal  bunch  was  canned : 

"  'Tis  your  blocking  of  the  North  Sea  with  your  cursed  Yankee  mines  that  has 
spoiled  a  certain  vic'try  and  upset  our  fell  designs.  Time  there  was,  when  ruthless 
U-boats,  with  my  chosen  pirate  crews,  had  the  Allied  men-o'-war's  '  goats  '  and  there 
wasn't  much  to  choose  'tween  a  slow  and  sure  starvation  or  a  grim  defeat  on  land  for 
the  French  and  British  nations  'til  '  Sim's  Circus  '  took  a  hand. 

"  First,  we  didn't  realize  it ;  thought  that  things  would  go  the  same  and,  took 
pains  to  advertise  it,  you  folks  couldn't  '  queer  '  our  game.  But  we  noticed,  as  the 
months  passed,  all  reports  grew  mighty  slim  of  ship  sinkings,  in  grim  contrast  to  the 
days  when,  in  good  trim,  we  were  sinking  liners  faster  than  the  ship-yards  turn  them 
out.  *  Now  we're  faced  with  this  disaster;  next  'twill  be  our  armies'  rout  for  we  keep 
our  people's  temper  quiet  by  the  news  at  sea  and,  as  long  as  I  am  Emp'ror,  slinging  bull 
is  up  to  me.' 

"  When  we  heard  you'd  mined  the  North  Sea,  we  sent  out  our  boats  to  sweep 
but  they  never  came  back  to  me,  for  their  bodies  glut  the  deep.  Seems  that  these  were 
not  the  same  kind  as  the  British  laid  before  and  I  curse  the  Yank  who  designed  such  a 
bolt  to  fit  my  door.  No  more  subs  came  home  to  cheer  me  with  some  bit  of  hellish 
news  and  I  see  it  now  too  clearly ;  everything  I  had — I  lose !  For  the  Yanks  have  put 
quietus  on  me  and  my  craven  sons ;  soon  old  Satan  comes  to  meet  us,  with  '  no  mercy 
for  the  Huns!  '  But  I  still  maintain,  and  rightly,  I'd  have  won  out  in  my  course, 
were  it  not  (here  censored  slightly)  for  your  $??? — verdammt  Mine  Force!  " 

Thus  he  finished  somewhat  sadly  and  I  saw  his  point  of  view;  saw  we  hadn't  done 
so  badly  in  our  efforts  to  subdue  him  and  his  piratic  minions,  and  we  haven't  worked  in 
vain,  for  the  German  Eagle's  pinions  are  fast  bound  in  mine-wrought  chains. 

Now  you  know  what  I've  been  doing,  in  my  absence  from  your  side,  and  the 
trouble  we  were  brewing  for  the  Huns;  you  can  decide  whether  I  have  dodged  my 
duty,  shirking,  as  a  draft-evading  slob,  or  put  in  my  service  working,  as  befits, 

Your  friend, 

A.  Gob. 


(115) 


Mines   Coming ! 


A   Mine   Carrier 


A  Pilot 


The  Olympia  Arriving  at  Archangel 


Just  Dropped 


(116) 


btai'ding  Out 


Another  Escort 


One  of  the  Escort 


H.    M.   S.   New  Zealand 
Flagship  Supporting  Force 


One  of  the  Supports 


The  Flotilla 


(117) 


NEW   VOfVM  TOWt-J 
(VE.vv'VO(\v\  TOW^> 

rvtw    voft<^  TOWN 

TMRTS     WHe-^e-    » 


OH    0OY    I   CRN 
BUWOiT    HtiaFV 

FIGH-V\r\l'  WIT 

TH'    NE.V6H 

BO 


Tf-y  tN'  TR    PO 

(VI RUE.    nf\E.  H0N1E-J 

yicKv  tn   sonoE. 

THIN? 


SlGN\lMG     THE.     l=lP.fV\E.STB.\CE     SorV,e.ONL 

5n»o  vM.e.  wE/Wt,  uE.Piv\r«c  fotv   the- 

5TRTE-S    INW    PMY     OR  50    WND  tve,P.Y- 


YOOf^S      TRULY. 
U.S.  S.SRf\Rr»F»c.. 


/7  myyj^snN   0. 


North  'dI^R 


(118) 


Escort   Screening    Flagship 


Planting 


A  Premature 


Attack 


(119) 


GLEANED  FROM  THE  CENSOR 

".  .  .  .  I  would  send  you  a  picture  of  myself  in  kilts,  only 
can't,  due  to  censorship  regulations,  as  it  might  give  away  our 
location." 

"  Please  go  and  see  a  good  show  on  me  and  I  will  give  you 
the  money  for  the  seats  when  I  get  home.  Would  send  the 
money  to  you,  but  our  letters  pass  through  so  many  censors,  am 
afraid  you  wouldn't  get  it." 


TWO  REQUESTS  FOR  RELEASE 

".  .  .  .  My  reasons  being  that  the  purpose  for  which  I  en- 
listed has  been  accomplished,  namely,  helping  to  save  the  world 
from  the  Hun  and  that  I  have  waiting  for  me  on  the  outside  a 
wife,  a  job,  and  a  chance  to  get  ahead." 

".  .  .  .  I  have  mules  and  oxens  at  home  on  my  father's 
hands  to  take  care  of  and  he  is  getting  old." 


(120) 


Ready  for  the  Last  Leg  of  the  Run  Home 


Fast  Run  of  Mine  Planters. 
The  U.  S.  S.  Shawmut,  Capt.  W.  T.  Cluverius,  U.  S.  N.,  and  the 
U.  S.  S.  Aroostook,  Capt.  J.  H.  Tomb,  U.  S.  N.,  of  the  Mine  Force, 
arrived  in  Hampton  Roads,  Va.,  with  homeward  bound  pennants  flying 
on  Dec.  27,  after  a  fast  run  of  twelve  and  one-half  days  from  Portland, 
England,  via  the  Azores  and  Bermuda.  These  ships  are  twenty-knot 
mine  planters,  were  fitted  out  at  the  Boston  Yard,  and  form  the  Third 
Division  of  Mine  Squadron  No.  1,  which  laid  the  North  Sea  Barrage. 
The  other  ships  of  the  squadron  are  returning  by  the  northern  route. 


;-et   in   Ponta    Delgada 


Christmas  Day  at 
Bermuda 


Ponta   Delgada,  Azores 


(121  ) 


Hospital   Ship  from   Grand    Fleet 


Hospital  at  Strathpeffer 


The   Wreck   of  the    Natal,    Invergordon 


(122) 


THE  MINE  LAYERS 

The  sun  comes  from  the  Northern  Sea, 
O'er  Scotland's  rocky  harbor  walls, 

And  sees  ten  gorgeous  banners  rise, 

While  ten  bronzed  bo'sn's  pipe  their  calls. 

Ten  valiant  ships,  by  twos  alike. 
With  terrible  resolve  have  come. 

To  close  high  seas  to  Teuton  wolves, 
The  U.  S.  Mining  Squadron  One. 

Seaworthy  craft,  whose  peaceful  lines, 
From  monster  guns  and  armor  free. 

With  war  paint  to  confuse  the  eye 
Betwixt  the  sky  and  tossing  sea. 

Here  forty  hundred  sailors  dwell. 

Our  wartime  homes  are  ships  of  steel, 

Called  from  all  planes  and  walks  of  life, 
To  serve  mankind  and  public  weal. 

Across  this  northern  passage  way. 
From  tossing  wave  to  ocean's  floor, 

From  Norway's  coast  a  chain  of  death 
We  stretched  to  Orkney's  rugged  shore. 

And  other  well-laid  snares  were  set. 
To  trap  the  cruel  Hunnish  knave; 

His  wreckage  silent  witness  bore 
Of  death  upon  the  restless  wave. 

We  go  not  forth  to  meet  the  foe 

Who  have  not,  will  not,  fight  like  men ; 

We  trap  the  wolves  who  scourge  the  sea, 
And  keep  him  in,  or  from,  his  den. 

Though  weather  fair  or  foul  may  be 
A  hidden  trail  of  death  we  make. 

Perdition  takes  the  enemy 

Who  luckless  dares  our  silent  wake. 

The  blow  of  roaring  ocean  wave 
The  sudden  dart  of  coward's  might 

We  brave  with  faith  and  courage  high 
Because  we  serve  the  God  of  Right. 

Now  praise  to  gallant  Godfrey's  craft. 
Manned  by  the  sturdy  British  tar, 

Our  guardians  throughout  danger's  path. 
Aye,  warding  peril  from  afar. 

When  Truth  spreads  History's  pages  o'er 
With  deeds  that  triumphed  o'er  the  Hun, 

One  force  will  shine  as  none  before — 
The  U.  S.  Mining  Squadron  One. 


(123) 


JAiler  alUtkeres no  dirl c^.f  1 1 
g  '  f '  like  tke  AmnericaiL  4ilfI    i  "|^. 

iiiiiiiiiHiiiilnN^fniiiiiiiiiJniiiiiHiliiiiiiiiviiiiiiniiiniiuiiihiiiiiiiiiiii^ 


(124) 


HOME  AND  FAME 


Extract  from  The  Times-Herald: 

Newport  News,  Va., 

2  January,  19 19. 

SIX  MINE  PLANTERS  BACK  FROM 
WAR  ZONE 

Six  mine  planters,  which  have  been  doing  service  in 
foreign  waters  for  the  past  two  years,  have  arrived  in 
Hampton  Roads.  They  are  the  SHAWNOCK, 
AROSTOK,  HOUSTANIC,  ROANOKE,  QUIV- 
ENDELAY,  and  CONDULOY.  The  BALTI- 
MORE, SARANAC,  CONICUS,  FRANCIS  are 
expected  here  in  a  day  or  two. 

The  battleships  CONNECTICUT  and  MASSA- 
CHUSETTS are  also  in  the  Roads. 


(125) 


THE   PUBLICATION    COMMITTEE 


Captain  W.  T.  CLUVERIUS,  U.  S.  N. 
Chairman 


Lieutenant  A.  I.  FLYNN,  U.  S.  N. 

Lieutenant  J.  R.  FRAWLEY,  Pay  Corps,  U.  S.  N. 
Lieutenant  W.  T.  SPENCER,  Medical  Corps,  U.  S.  N. 
H.  G.  FLUCKE,  Seaman  Signalman  2nd  Class,  U.  S.  N.  R.  F. 
A.  VICTOR  BEALS,  Painter  1st  Class,  U.  S.  N.  R.  F. 


(126) 


(127) 


WprSfg^ 


date 


''^"^Pedhel 


ow. 


/HA 


^'^^Ll 


'i^^  51952  Lu 


S16)47Q 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CAUFORNIA  LIBRARY 


